[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 29 (Monday, March 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BELLEVILLE REFORMED CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 10, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention 
the outstanding achievement of the 300th anniversary of the Belleville 
Reformed Church, of Belleville, NJ. As one of the oldest churches in 
America, I have the honor of being its Representative in the U.S. 
Congress.
  Founded by Dutch settlers in 1697, the Belleville Reformed Church was 
originally known as the Old Dutch Church of Second River, with its 
first pastor being Reverend Berthoff. Throughout its history, the 
church had undergone several structural improvements. Records indicate 
that the Belleville Reformed Church's original building was replaced in 
1725. In 1804, a tornado ruined that building and as a result, in 1807, 
a new edifice was dedicated.
  As church membership grew, there was a need for new construction and 
in 1853, the present building was dedicated with the fellowship hall 
being added in 1895. The dedication of the building included the 
presentation of several memorial windows which are still in the 
buildings. In 1915, the present 8-rank pipe organ was purchased with 
matching funds from the Carnegie Foundation. The console of the organ 
has since been replaced but the pipes are the original.
  In the past as in the present, the congregation of the church has 
demonstrated the ability to work together with the community and other 
faiths. When the new buildings were being replaced, church services 
were permitted in the neighboring Episcopal Church. In turn, the church 
allowed for services to be permitted in its building by Episcopal and 
Methodist churches. Even today, the church is shared with the First 
Hispanic Reformed Church. Relations with the community have also been 
generous with the anniversary of the township of Belleville being held 
in the church. On every Memorial Day, services are held, and the church 
bells are rung at the conclusion of the services, keeping with 
tradition begun in 1890, when the town requested that the bells be 
rung.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, the congregation 
of the Belleville Reformed Church, and the township of Belleville, in 
recognizing the historic tradition of the Belleville Reformed Church 
and its many important contributions to the community. For its 300th 
anniversary, it is only appropriate that the House recognizes the 
Belleville Reformed Church today.

                          ____________________